While the forecast for tomorrow is still a bit
unsure, it appears to be a good time to provide some friendly safety tips as it
relates to snow! Yep, I used that
dreaded four letter word!
Anyway, the below is from our partners in safety in the
National Capital Region of which we are a part.
A great collaboration of all the jurisdictions in the metro area in an
effort to provide consistent across the board (region) safety tips.
So while the storm could turn into a dud, it has the
potential to leave us with a significant accumulation so better plan for the
worst and be READY and prepared!
Stay Safe,
Bill D
Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation
accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when
conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow, or dense fog.
These are serious conditions that are often underestimated, and they make
driving – and even walking outside – very hazardous.
It is safer for everyone if you stay put – and not travel during inclement
weather – whether you are at home, work or school.
By staying off the roads during the worst of the weather, local departments
of transportation are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow
plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing and public
safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency
services.
It may require employees to take a couple of hours of personal leave during
the winter, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock
caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment. Thinking
strategically about your travel and where you really need to be will require
some planning and thought.
“Get Where You Need to be Before the Weather Gets Bad”
Do NOT Travel During Winter Storms
- Curtail “elective” travel; avoid unnecessary travel. If it is not a life
safety issue, stay off the roads.
- If you don’t have to travel… don’t! The safest place during a winter storm
is indoors. About 70 percent of deaths related to ice and snow occur in
automobiles.
- Stay at the office an extra hour, or leave early, to avoid travel during a
winter storm.
- If residents stay off the roads during a storm, transportation workers and
public safety officials are better able to clear roadways and respond to
emergency needs quicker.
Weather Changes Quickly
- Be prepared for the worst. Be ready to spend an extra hour at the office, or
leave an hour or two early, to avoid a more time consuming commute home during
the height of a storm.
- Have an emergency supply kit in your office and car.
Listen to Local Officials
- If local officials advise residents to stay off the roads – then stay off
the roads.
- Public safety and emergency management officials, along with National
Weather Service meteorologists, base travel advisories and guidance on weather
forecasts. Heed their advice!
- Businesses that follow closing/delay policies from local jurisdictions or
the federal Office of Personnel Management need to monitor those sources and
release employees when advised.
Monitor the Weather
- Listen to local Radio/TV weather forecasts; monitor social media.
- Sign up for text alerts from your local government.
- Sign up for weather alerts from NOAA/National Weather Service, including RSS
feeds of your forecast and weather watches/warnings.
- Purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home and office. NOAA Weather Radio
is the prime alerting and critical information delivery system of the National
Weather Service (NWS). NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches,
forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
Know the Emergency Plans for your Children’s School
- If your child is safe at school, why risk a traffic accident during the
worst weather to reach him/her, and then put all of you in danger? Let the
school system implement their emergency plan, stay off the road and let
transportation crews clear the roadways.
About the National Capital Region (NCR)
The National Capital Region (NCR) is not an
operational entity because emergency response is a local function. Because the
NCR is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties,
states and the District of
Columbia, this website and the efforts of the
region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional
collaboration between the region’s homeland security partners to achieve a “safe
and secure National Capital Region.”
Weather
Update 
